Looking for Advice

I'm thinking of getting a 2010 vfr1200 from my local dealer. I'm looking for a sport tourer to take 300 400 miles a day on solo. I have an 07 Royal Star Tour Deluxe for two up touring with the wife. I also own a 2010 Z1000 that I ride locally, evenings and weekends. How would the VFR sitting position compare to my Z1000? I'm worry that the VFR is to aggressive riding position for longer days. Also was looking at a 2013 FJR. Rode one and I really enjoy the torque. Was comparable to my Z1000 which I love the motor. Going to try and test drive a VFR this week. Just wondering if anyone has done some time on a VFR and a Z1000?
Thanks in advance.

 

My advise....don't eat yellow snow.

I think what you are looking for in an answer here cannot really be answered by anyone other than yourself. The comfort of a bike is highly dependant on your body build. Height and weight is not enough to know. I have only sat on a 7th gen (which if you don't know is the generation you are looking at) for a few moments and cannot say I have ever sat on any of the others you mentioned. Mine is a 6th gen, stock bars. I am middle aged, 5'10" or so and have perfect 6 pack asbs beneath a considerable layer of beer belly. I can ride mine for days and be relatively OK. And long days. I have ridden several 10 to 12 hour days and at least one 24 hour day. Yet there are some here who find it rough to ride for 6 hours even though most likely they are in much better shape physically than I. In addition to this, I have had three lumbar spine surgeries so you might think this has an effect as well.

So the answer is not so simple. Too bad you could not get one to test drive for a day and spend the whole day in the saddle. You don't need to ride 400 miles, just ride around town for a day. That should give you a good base point to start from.

 

:welcome: to the madness
You are asking for advice on Vfr forum
Many members here got them, I am sure they will chimp in shortly
Might want to give a little more details about your size weight height......
Seem like most of the owner have to make a few change to the bike for better performance.
Not thing sound like a V four :vtr2::vtr2::vtr2:

 

Want sound advise. Write "Dear Randy"

 

It sounds to me that you should be looking at an ST1300 instead.

 

I haven't had much experience on sport bikes when it comes to distance & comfort other than my 2nd Gen and few hundred miles on a Bandit. Well, there was that one time on an F4i, but I like to try to forget that trip and the saddle sores afterward.

The most comfortable ride I've ever experienced on a long distance run was a 620 mile stint on my old '02 Rebel 250 - stock with a full windshield. Taking that thing through the switchbacks was a joy, scrapping pegs on every turn and enjoying every second of it!

Honestly, the bike that you are seeking might be a wild goose chase. I agree very much with Randy in the fact that every bike is openly designed for a broad range of riders. While each one has a unique riding position and style, in order to get the most comfort out of the bike there are several modifications that need to be made such as handlebar position, gel grips, foot peg height, aftermarket seating (more cush for the tush), and tank bags for leaning on. When you buy a Harley, for instance, they measure you out and make most of those modifications for you right there at the dealership before you take possession of the bike.

What you need to focus on, IMO, is the asthetics of the bike you will be riding. Does the bike project the image that your trying to make? Is it you? Do you enjoy the overall look and sound of the bike itself?

Only you are able to make these determinations, we can only tell you what WE enjoy out of a bike - which might actually be opposite of how you feel anyways.

I love the look and sound of the 2nd Gen VFR 750, period. It's not the most comfortable bike in the world, and it's not the best in comfort for longer rides for my 205 lb, 6' 4" frame. BUT, it's a conversation piece and I'm extremely fond of her to the point that I'll never trade, sell, or part her out. I'm sure if I invested some cash into a Corbin seat, tweaked the handles and upgraded to a better tank bag then I'd not moan as much after riding her for 4 hrs straight. But that takes effort and they don't call me Lazy for nothin'!

 

Start by asking yourself what don't you like about the Z1000. What more are you looking for in this new bike that the Z1000 with a good windscreen, panniers and maybe top case cannot give you? More power? Better ergos for longer rides? Less vibration? Different styling? Shaft drive vs. chain? Better wind protection. Sportbike styling vs. naked streetfighter?

Properly equipped, the Z can be a very competent sport tourer and can easily handle the 300-400 miles/day you are looking to do. Powerwise, the big Viffer will not blow the Z away. Ergos is entirely subjective and - as Randy pointed out - depends entirely on the rider. The other questions are mostly regarding your personal preference and little to do with relatively competence of the two bikes.

If I were you, I would take the Z1000 on a 300-400 mile /day tour like you described. You will either come away pleased enough to maintain the status quo. Or... you'll gather enough experience to know what shortcoming(s) you want remedied with a new bike. Then go test ride new bikes with that shopping list in mind. You may decide that comfort trumps all considerations, in which case a more traditional ST (FJR, C14, etc.) may be in order. Or you may decide to let the Royal Star take the really long rides, and set your other bike further into the Sporkbike spectrum - but not too far. That's where bikes like VFR1200 and K1300S begin to make sense.

 

This site will show you the differences between the bikes. But as said before you will have to experience and decide which is for you. CYCLE_ERGO Under options I like center on seat as that superimposes the bikes and keeps the rider still except for reach and legs. The vfr requires more core strength but is very comfortable at speed.

 

Thanks Guys for your help.
I had a chance to test drive some bikes and here's how it went.
First I rode an 09 BMW 1300GT. Lots of creature comforts but motor and handling where not as expected.
Same day same dealer an 11 Ducati Multistada. That bike is amazing.
A week later I rode an 10 VFR1200. Love the looks, fit and finish but riding position was to aggressive and suspension stiff. Last was an 13 FJR1300. That's what's in the garage.
Thanks again

 

Congrats. FJR's are great long distance sport touring bikes.. Post some pictures now..

 

Looks beautiful.. Does the FJR's come with side cases from factory or did you buy them? Thanks for sharing the pictures..

 

Comes on the bike

 

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet I like it :thumb:
Too bad it is too big for me :tongue:

 

I've had two FJR's, an 06 and an 08. I wanted something more sporty seeing I don't actually tour so I picked up an VFR1200.

 

Congratulations. It sounds like you made the right choice. Enjoy.

 

Congrats! Yamaha did a fine job revamping the new FJR, putting limited resources in just the right places - TC, TBW, CC, better motorized windscreen, refreshed front end styling, etc. Tail end remained the same, so you have a lot of aftermarket accessories available. Enjoy, and if you don't mind, post up a riding impression or mini review after you've had a little seat time on it.